Harness stop and signal device for looms



April 21,1925. 1,534,127

S. MAGNANO HARNESS STOP AND SIGNAL DEVICE FOR LOOMS Filed June 15.. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 21; 1925..

8. MAG NANQ HARNESS STOP AND SIGNAL DEVICE FOR LOOMS 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed June 15, 1923 Patented Apr, 21, 1925 UNITED STATES PATENT SEBASTIANO MAG-HAND, 0. 3 LAX'JHENCE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO MAGNA'NO CORPORATION, OF ESSEX, EVELASSAGHUSETTS. A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

HARNESS STOP AND SIGNAL DEVICE FOR LOOMS.

llpplioa't'lon ar a June 15, 192 3.

To a who 1a it may macaw,

Beit known that I. tlnnnsrmno ll'laormivo, a subjectof the King of Italy and resident of Lawrence, in the county of and 5 State of lllassachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fairness Stop and Signal Devices for Looms of which the following is specification.

This invention concerns textile machinery 10 and relates more particularly to automatic stopping and indicating means applicable to Weaving looms and the like wherem a harness mechanism is employed, the present applic'ation beinga continuation in part of my copending renewed application Serial No.

MSQQ. filed March 31, 1922;

in automatic looins as commonly constructed there is provided a st motion mechanism which is operative automatically to stop the loom upon the breakage fail: ure of he filling: or upon the breakage of the warp threads. The provision of such a mechanism provides to a considerable extent against the formation of defective cloth, but it is found that in the operation of looms, particularlythose em loying a large number of harnesses under the control of pattern mechanism, defective cloth is often produced by the failure of one or more of the harnesses to move properly timed relation to the other harnesses.

i hile the defects produced by failure or breakage of the Warp or Weft threads are readily detected, it is much less easy in many cases. to detect improper weave rcsultihg from failure of a harness to move in the predetermined order. and principal ohject of the present invention is to provide not us whereby to avoid defects in the tabrio r0 19' from such failure of a harness prop- I r5 function. To this end it is proposed to provide mechanism coogerahle with the usual stop motion employed in automatic looms and having proper connections XliTll the individual harnesses, wherehyi upon ita1l ure of one or more of the latter properly to function, the stop motion mechanism will be energized.

As the number of harnesses employed in a 100111 may be quite large as many as forty being sometimes employed, it is oh "ous that upon stoppageof the loom it dc... able for Serial No. erases.

the Workmanto determine ithout delay the particular harness which is functioning Zimproperly. it further object ofthe present invention is to provide signaling means, preferably consisting of a lamp, to indli ate the defective harness when the loonistops. A preferred embodiment .ofmeans for car rying the invention into effect is disclosed in the accompanyingdrawings in Which,-

l ig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in-section and partly diagrammatic, illustratingmeans for initiating the operation; of the stop mechanism of the loom and for giving a visual signal upon the defective operation of ,a harness Fig. 2 is a fragmentary end elevationfrom the right hand side of r ng. 1, illustrating certain details of construction; and

Figs. 3 and 4: are diagrammatic viexvscorresponding to digs. land '2, andillustrating the electrical circuits employed.

Referring to the drawings the numeral 1 indicates a pinion receiving its iuotiongtroin the loom mechanism and in timed relation to the usual pattern mechanism which may be employed therein and which is pot herein shown. It is to be understood in this connection that the present apparatus is applicable .to any of the ordinary and well known forms of loom employing pattern controlled harness mechanism. and it is thus considered unnecessary to disclose the specific arrangement of parts included in such machines.

The pinion 1 drives a gear 2 carried upon a pattern shaft 3. This shaft supports a series of pattern chains such as 4, corresponding in number to the harnesses employed and of usual construction. such chains being provided at the desired intervals with indicating lugs such as 5. A transversely extending shaft 6 is mounted at a convenient point relatively to the 100111 mechanism, such shaft forming an element of an electrical circuit which will he described in {greater detail hereinafter, such circuit on iprisingthe conducting Wire 7 leading from out pole of a suitable source of electrical enerp; such a the dynamo 7. 200 represents one of a .se-

ries of lever arms corresponding in number to the several harnesses employed .in the loom, each lever arm being provided it .de sired, with a serie'sof notches 201 with which may be selectively engaged connector elements such as 202 which lead to the corresponding harness, and by means of which the lever members 200 and harnesses are actuated in time with one another.

A magnet 203 arranged at a convenient point is provided with an armature 204 which carries a contact element 205 adapted to make contact with an opposed element 206. The contact members 205 and 206 respectively, form a make-and-break device for a circuit comprising wires 207, 208, respectively, forming a portion of the stop motion circuit of the loom and so arranged that upon contact of the members 205, 206, such circuit will be closed and the stop motion mechanism energized to stop the loom. While as herein disclosed the armature 204 serves to initiate'the operation of an electrical stop motion it is evident that it might equally well be employed for determining the operation of a mechanical stop motion if desired.

Mounted upon a suitable support 21 are a series of signaling devices such as the incandescent lamps 22, 22222 etc. corresponding to the several harnesses employed. A conductor wire 12 leads from the other pole of the dynamo 7 and is provided with a series of branches 12 12, 12, etc. leading respectively to a terminal of each of the several lamps. From the other terminals of the lamps extend conductors 27 27 27 etc. which terminate in switch elements 26, 26, 26', arranged upon the support 21 and preferably directly above and corresponding to the lamps 22. 22, etc. Cooperating with the several switch elements 26, 26, etc. is a long knifeswitch blade 25, having a handle 24 whereby it may be actuated, such blade be ing pivoted upon the support 21 and serving simultaneously to make connection with and between the several switch elements. From the pivotal end of such knife switch extends a conductor 31 connecting with one terminal of the coil of magnet 203. From the opposite terminal of such coil extends a conductor 32 which is electrically connected to the conductor 12 at a point in the latter beyond the endmost of the branches 12. etc.

Mounted upon shaft 6 are a series of lever members 8, 8, 8, etc. corresponding in number to the several harnesses and arranged in the vertical planes of motion of the respective pattern chains 4. Vith this arrangement the pattern lugs 5 serve to swing the levers 8 in a vertical plane, such levers dropping in the absence of a lug and being lifted as a lug passes beneath the same. The levers 8, etc. form switch blades of knife type which cooperate with pairs of separated switch elements 913; 913 9 13"; etc. mounted upon suitable supports such as 10 and 14 respectively, it being understood that such supports extend transversely of the mechanism and have mounted thereon the switch elements corresponding to each of the several switch blades 8.

Upon the back side of the support 21 are arranged a series of pairs of separated switch elements 1920; 19 -20; 19"20", etc. and upon a parallel support 17 are mounted corresponding pairs of separated switch elements 15-16; 1516; 15 16 respectively. A shaft 35 is arranged transversely of the mechanism at a point sub stantially midway of the supports 21 and- 17, and upon said shaft are pivotally mounted a plurality of switch levers as 18, 18, 18", etc., such levers corresponding in number to the several harnesses employed. These levers are preferably provided at their lower ends with yoke-like members comprising spaced arms 18", 18, respectively, which embrace the upper end of the corresponding lever member 200, whereby the levers 18 are actuated in consonance with the oscillation of the members 200.

The levers 18 are provided with oppositely directed blade portions 18, 18, respectively, such portions being adapted to connect the switch elements 15-16; 1920, etc. respectively, in accordance with the position of the member 18. The devices are so arranged that upon forward swinging of the lever member 200, the switch elements 19-20, are electrically connected while upon rearward movement of the member 200 the switch elements 1516, are electrically connected.

Extending from the several switch ele ments 9, 9, etc. to the corresponding switch elements 16, 16, etc. are the conductors 11, 11, 11", etc. The corresponding elements 13 and 19 are also connected by conductors 29, 29, 29", etc. From the several members 15 eXtend conductors 28, 28. 28 etc. which are electrically connected with the lamps 22, 22", 22, respectively, and with the corresponding switch terminals 26, 26, 26", etc.

In the normal operation of the device, it being assumed that the armature 204 of the stop motion device is in the position indicated in Fig. 1, and that the knife switch 24 is in position to connect the several switch terminals 26, 26, etc., upon proper operation of the harnesses the members 200 will be swung backwardly and forwardly, thus carrying the switch blade elements 18, 18, respectively, alternately from the members Iii-16 etc. to the members 19 20, etc. At the same time, by the rotation of the pattern shaft 3, the several switch levers 8 are caused to rise and fall. The parts are so constructed and arranged, however, that when the harnesses are functioning properly the blades 8 will contact of the switch elements 9 simultaneously with the contact of the switch levers 18, with the elements 19,

20, and so that upon contact of the blades 8 with the elements 13, the blades 18 will contact with the switch elements 15, 16. As thus arranged the normal movements of the levers 18 and 8 prevents the closing of the circuits comprising the lamps 22, and the V magnet 203.

If, however, one of the harnesses should fail to function at the proper time, as for example, that harness corresponding' to the switch blade 18 in the diagrammatic views Figs. 3 and 4, the circuit between the memhere 15, 16 may be closed simultaneously with its closing between the members 8 and 9. In such case current will flow through the conductors 7, shaft 6, lever 8, the switch element 9, the conductor 11, switch element 16, lever 18, switch element 15, the conductor 28, the lamp 22, and back through the conductor 12. At the same time current will flow from the conductor 28 through the conductor 27, through the switch element 26, the switch blade 25, the conductor 81, the magnet coil 203 and back through the conductor 32 to the conductor 12. Thus the magnet coil will be energized, the armature 204: will be attracted thereto, and the circuit comprising the wires 207, 208 will be energized, whereby to actuate the loom stop motion.

At the same time current will flow through the knife switch blade 25 and the other switch terminals 26, 26*, etc. back through the wires 27*, 27 and the lamps 22, 22 to the conductor 12. Thus all of the lamps will be caused to glow. Afterthe stopping of the loom, however, the operator, by opening the switch comprising the blade 25, will break the circuit through the lamps 22, 22", etc., permitting current to flow only through the lamp 22 and thus indicating that one of the harnesses which is o'ut of order. Upon repairing such harness, the operator will replace the knife switch 25 and upon properoperation of the loom the circuit will be kept open by the orderly movements of the members 18 and 8"until in the further operation of the loom one or another of the harnesses fails properly to act whereby to move a lever 18 in proper timed relation to a lever 8.

If, instead of closing the circuit, as above described, it should in an untimely manner he closed between the elements 19, 20, the movement of the lever 8 into contact with the switch element 13 will cause a similar actuation of the stopping and signaling devices. In such a case, current will flow from the wire 7, shaft 6 and lever 8 into the switch element 13 thence through the conductor 29 to switch element 19. From this point current passes through the switch lever 18 to the switch element 20, thence through the conductor 30 to conductor 27, from which the current branches, a portion passing through lamp 22 and back through the wire 12 while another portion passing through the switch blade 25 energizes the magnet 203, and thence returns through the conductor 22, the operation being in other respects similar to that previously outlined.

In order to avoid confusion in the diagrammatic views, and in view of the difiiculty of properly indicating the switch mechanism therein, the circuit including the switch elements 13, the conductor 29 and the elements 19, 20 has been shown in dotted lines.

It. is thus evident that simple and effective means has been provided whereby, not only to stop the loom upon failure of any of the several harnesses to function properly, but also whereby the particular harness may be indicated with certainty after the stopping of the loom. While in the above description particular reference has been made to the failure of the single harness corresponding to the blade 18 to function, it is evident that a similar operation would take place when any of the other harnesses should so fail to act, the corresponding circuits being formed in such eventuality.

Moreover, while the pattern chain 4 has been illustrated as provided with pattern lugs 5 at regular intervals, it is to be understood that such chain will, in practice, be furnished with lugs at desired points in accordance with the particular harness pattern employed, the arrangement in all cases being such as to provide for swinging the lever 8 in properly timed relation to the corresponding lever 200.

I claim:

1. A mechanism for use with a loom having a plurality of harnesses and a stop motion, and comprising a signal device corresponding to each of such harnesses, and means automatically operative upon failure of a harness properly to function for actuating said stop motion and for energizing the corresponding signal device.

2. A mechanism for use with a weaving loom provided with a stop motion, comprising an oscillatable element having connection to a loom harness and movable in time therewith, a pattern drum, a lever member oscillatable by said drum, and means controlledby the conjoint action of said element and lever whereby to determine the action of said stop motion.

3. A mechanism for use with a weaving loom provided with a stop motion comprising an electrical circuit including a stop motion actuator, said circuit having a pair of gaps therein, independent devices for closing said gaps, and means for normally actuating said devices in alternation, the parts being so constructed and arranged that upon failure of said means to actuate one of said devices in properly timed relation to they otl' er, thecircnit will be closed and the stop motion actuated,

4,.A mechanism for use with a loom hav:

mally opening and closing one of, said Y switches, and pattern means normally operativeto open and, closefthe other switch alternation to the movement of the first switch. y ,A mechanism iiolyuse, With looms ,having a plurality of harnesses compr sing a plurality of electrical circuits LfdOhiIlClllClr' 'ing a stop motion and aharness actuated. element,lcomprisingka memberactuable by .said element in timed relation to the movement of the harness, a pattern controlled ing a signal device, a magnet common toall of said circu ts, means actuable upon failure of either of said harnessesproperlyto tunetionfor energizing all of said signal devices and said magnet and meansior s1multane-,.

ously-cutting out all of said signal, devices except that corresponding to the detectively acting harness.

6. A mechanism of the class described,

comprising a'harness actuated member, an electrical circuit, a circuit making and breaking device osc llatable; by said member,,a second circuit making andlbreaking device, .means for normally actuating said latter device in alternation with said first; device, and a slgnahng devlce in sa d one cuit, the parts being soconstructed and an ranged that upon fa lure of sa d harness actuated member properlyvto actuate its circuit breaking I device, the signaling device will be energized. i s. v.

7. A mechanism for use with a loom, provided with a plin'ality t harnesses and a stop, motion, comprising a signalzlamp corresponding to each of said harnesses, a magnet having an armature actuable fornperating the stop motion, electrical conducting means, means, ,operative npon. failure of. a

harness properly'to function ior'permitting current to flow in saidflcondncting means and through said lamps and magnet, and a manually actuable switch for simultaneously cutting off current from all-of saidlamps except that corresponding to the defective harness. v

8. A mechanism ofthe class described for use With a loom havinga plurality oflpattern controlled harnesses and astop motion, an electrical circuit comprising a device for initiating actuationvof' said stop motion, saidlcircuit having a plurality of parallel branches corresponding respectively to the several harnesses, a pair of switch devioesff in each of said branches, a patterindevicefor controlling the opening and closing of one-11 switch of each of the several pairs, and con ,nections from each harness to the other and corresponding switches of the several pa S]. In combination wlth a loom hay n {a stop motion and a plurality of, harnes ses operable in predetermined,sequence, a pat-. ,terndevice, and means operable bythelconjoint action of aharness and saidpattern. device whereby to. renderjsuchlstop motion effective for-stopping the loomflupon the failure of ,SuCh harness to perform its normal shedding-function.

1Q. A mechanism fornse Withalooinhav-Yy device, and means conjointlycontrolled by said member and said device and operable upon abnormal functioning of'the harness to make such stop motion operative.

11. An automatic harness'device,comprising electromechanical means, spaced termi nals in a normally open circuit with; said means and a source or" electrical energy, and

an element movable by a harness when the latter 1s out ofv order to a position to electrically connect said terminals, ncombmation means, pairs of switch members, a; swinging member operable by sald arm or lever and adapted in one position to electii'icallyconnect the switch members of one pairv and in another position to electrically connect the. switch members of the other pair, electrical connections between said switch members and the stop motion means,

a third pair of switch members,a source of electric energy, a conductive member mov able-by the pattern into. contact. With the.

last-named switch members alternately, an electrical connection between said conductive member and the source of energy, and an electrical connection between thesonrce of energy and the stop motion means.

Signed by me at Lawrence, Massachu sett-s, this 11th day of June, 1923.

SEBASTIANO MAGNANO.

Ill)

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,534,127, granted April 21, 1925, upon the application of Sebastiano Magnano, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, for an improvement in Harness Stop and Signal Devices for Looms, an error appears requiring correction as follows: In the grant and in the heading to the printed specification the domicile of the assignee is erroneously given as Essex, Massachusetts, Whereas said domicile should have been given as Lawrence, Massachusetts, as shown by the records of assigmnents in this office; and that the said Letters Patent should be read With this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 26th day of May, A. D. 1925.

[SEAL] KARL FENNING,

Acting Commissioner 0/ Patents. 

